Why You Should Condition Your Locks

The first modern hair conditioner was called Brilliantine
(translates from French to grease) and was invented at the turn
of the 20th century by a French perfumer. While conditioner has
much the same function as it did back in the 1900s, the market
has expanded tremendously. It's impossible to go to the store
and grab a bottle of conditioner without knowing what you're
looking for. You''ll find intensive treatments, conditioners for
colored or damaged hair, strengthening conditioners, kid-
friendly conditioners, volumizing conditioners, detanglers, and
the list goes on. We've definitely come a long way since
Brilliantine.

Conditioner used to be made using natural oils such as tea tree
and jojoba oils. Now, scientists have discovered ingredients like
silicone, fatty alcohols and quaternary ammonium compounds in
addition to the oils. These modern marvels allow us to condition
our hair without leaving a greasy residue or heavy feeling.

Shampoo is great at removing dirt and grime from our hair,
unfortunately, it also removes much of our hair's natural oils,
which keep our hair looking healthy. This is where conditioner
enters the picture. Conditioner coats hair with a film (thickness
depends upon type of conditioner used), making it easier to
comb and preventing static electricity from building up, which
reduces frizz.

Types of Conditioners

Pack - These are heavy, thick conditioners that "glue" the hair
surface scales together. Usually, this type of conditioner is left
in the hair for a longer period of time.

Leave-in - These are lighter conditioners and add only a thin film
to the hair.

Standard - These conditioners are a combination of the pack
and leave-in conditioners.

Hold - These conditioners, similar to a hair spray or gel, hold the
hair in a desired shape.

If you aren't sure what type of conditioner to use, ask your
stylist to point you in the right direction.

A. Evans is a writer and editor for FitandFabLiving. Sign up for free newsletters to receive all the latest health, beauty and fitness tips delivered straight to your inbox!